I think I have the Heberdens nodes. My knots are first joint of middle finger and pointer fnger, not painful, but I am very senative to how my hands look. Do you know if they are any surgeries that can maybe cut out the knots or any thing that can be done about them,

HI mgred,
I understand how you might feel about the unsightly look
of these bumps.
Do yours hurt like mine do?

I tell you..... everyday in the kitchen while
I'm trying to prepare a meal, the blasted pain gets
in the way of opening a jar or a bottle, or what ever
i have to do to prepare the meals.
it's very painful and getting only stiffer as the months
go by.

The joint at the base of my thumb is getting uglier and
uglier. I wish there was some way to stop it from
growing.

I don't think I'd get them cut out though. You're a
brave soul to even contemplate it.

I am wondering if the pain I'm getting is set off
by certain foods I eat that are high in acid?

I know they say that some foods are linked
to the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, but
regular arthritis, I don't know.

HI mgred,
I understand how you might feel about the unsightly look
of these bumps.
Do yours hurt like mine do?

I tell you..... everyday in the kitchen while
I'm trying to prepare a meal, the blasted pain gets
in the way of opening a jar or a bottle, or what ever
i have to do to prepare the meals.
it's very painful and getting only stiffer as the months
go by.

The joint at the base of my thumb is getting uglier and
uglier. I wish there was some way to stop it from
growing.

I don't think I'd get them cut out though. You're a
brave soul to even contemplate it.

I am wondering if the pain I'm getting is set off
by certain foods I eat that are high in acid?

I know they say that some foods are linked
to the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, but
regular arthritis, I don't know.

Thank you for a quick reply. My knots do not hurt everyday. Thus far they have not detered me from doing anything, i.e opening a jar etc. I am just very conscious of their appearance. I look at everyone's hands that I come into contact with, and their hands are beautiful.. I wonder, like you said, if some foods do have a barrier on the knots becoming bigger. At this time my knots are the middle finger and the pointer finger,on both hands. I am thinking seriously about seeing about cutting them out. Any other comments, I do welcome.

mgred,
do any of your knots feel like a lymph node?
I have one on my foot, right where
the large joint is at your toe?
Mine is palpable, round and squashy.
like a lymph node. This one
doesn't hurt, but the ones on my hand does.

Thank you for your reply. My knots are not palpable, not squashy, but are round. They are hard, very hard, like a bone. I have not yet found out any info as to have them surgurical remove. I really hope there is something that can be done. I am very self conscious of them and I know that everyone is looking at my hands. So far the knots are not keeping me from doing anything, like I had said to one of my reponders, they hurt from time to time, but its not un bearable. I hope your knots are not painful either.

Hi Mgred,
thanks for you reply regarding the structure of these nodes.
Mine is totally different than yours. the one on my foot is different.
but the ones on the base of my thumb is common my rheumy dr. told me.

Your lumps must be pretty big if you feel that people are looking at them.
why do you care? You're beautiful just the same. It's not your hands that show beauty, but it's your innerself, and you sound it to me.

If i had them on my face, that's another thing. right?

who am I to say though what shouldn't bother you. We are unique in our own ways and what bothers me, might not bother you and vice vs.

keep me informed of your progress.

best regards,

Linda

PS- the arthritis bothers me in my fingers and hands, wrists, when I try to take my seat belt off (you'll hear me cursing if you're next to my car, LOL)
or when I'm trying to do things in the kitchen. forget those stupid little screw on caps that go on glass bottles. LOL
I'm wondering what the heck I'm going to be like when I'm in my 50's and later on????? Gheesh.

Hi Mgred,
thanks for you reply regarding the structure of these nodes.
Mine is totally different than yours. the one on my foot is different.
but the ones on the base of my thumb is common my rheumy dr. told me.

Your lumps must be pretty big if you feel that people are looking at them.
why do you care? You're beautiful just the same. It's not your hands that show beauty, but it's your innerself, and you sound it to me.

If i had them on my face, that's another thing. right?

who am I to say though what shouldn't bother you. We are unique in our own ways and what bothers me, might not bother you and vice vs.

keep me informed of your progress.

best regards,

Linda

PS- the arthritis bothers me in my fingers and hands, wrists, when I try to take my seat belt off (you'll hear me cursing if you're next to my car, LOL)
or when I'm trying to do things in the kitchen. forget those stupid little screw on caps that go on glass bottles. LOL
I'm wondering what the heck I'm going to be like when I'm in my 50's and later on????? Gheesh.

Thank you for the nice things that you said, and yes, you are right, why should it bother me, and I need to get over it, however, I see such pretty hands on everyone, no one I see have hands like mine. At the same time, I am thankful that they are not as bad as I have seen in books etc, and I am thankful that they(hands) don't keep from doing anything. I'm sorry that your arthritis is bothering you. If I ever get to talk to a doctor about my hands I will let you know what he says ( about having the knots removed) have a great day. mgred

Thanks Mgred for your kind reply,
I didn't mean in ANYWAY that you "need to get over it", not at all.

I know on a personal level that anyone who has arthritis has every right in the book to say it bothers them. whether on the way it looks or the way it hurts, or how ever it might bother them.

You must have very pretty hands if it bothers you. Mine are getting old and dried out due to the aging process and because my hands are in water a lot due to cooking all the time and having to wash out the pots and pans, dishes, etc.
I don't like the way mine look either. so I know how it may bother you.

You can say anything you want about it and I won't feel that you need to get over it. just wanted to let you know that. OK?

feel free to speak your mind here. after all, that's why we come to these support boards.

Please don't think that I was upset about "getting over it". The truth be known I do need to get over it. (ha Ha) My children, both girls, both beautiful with beautiful hands, tells me I put way tooooooooooooooo much time in thinking about it. My children are age 35,a school teacher, married to a fireman,with 3 boys, age 6, 3 and 4 months, our other daughter is 32, lab tech, (not working at this time),married to a preacher,wth a little boy, 5 and a little girl, 15 months old. So someday, I may take their advise. I still go about once a month and have my nails done, which makes them look better. Thank you for your reply. I also do have a prayer request. I have put my notice in at my current job, because, I need to work part time, My dad is 93 and in declining health. I ask that you pray that i will find something that will allow me to also be there for him. thank you Jane